The Gilman Tunnels Mountain Bike Loop in the Jemez Mountains is a beautiful, easy to intermediate mountain
bike ride. There is also an all-road option.

Depending on where you start, ride south on the paved NM4 from Jemez Springs following the delightful cottonwood
lined Jemez River in the deep Jemez Canyon to NM485.

The paved NM485 turns west, crossing the Jemez River, then goes through the small town of Gilman following the
picturesque Rio Guadalupe. You are surrounded by striking mesas. Ride along the Rio Guadalupe's cascades to the
Gilman Tunnels. Then climb through some of the oldest rocks in the Jemez Mountains as the canyon narrows at the
Guadalupe Box.

The Gilman tunnels were originally blasted out of the rock in the 1920's for a logging railroad and are quite
high. There are several spectacular turnouts on the short climb.

Logging ruins can still be found above the road on Peggy Mesa. There are great views of the Guadalupita and
Virgin mesas. There are numerous and several large ruins on the tops of these mesas.

Just past the tunnels the pavement ends. Follow the dirt forest road FR376 to the paved NM126. Then ride east
to the paved NM4 at La Cueva for an exciting downhill run to Jemez Springs. On the descent you pass Spence Springs,
Battleship Rock, and the Soda Dam is one mile north of Jemez Springs on the downhill to Jemez Springs. The Soda
Dam is a formation of mineral deposits next to the highway from a warm springs nearby.

There are a few restaurants and a grocery store in Jemez Springs.

Getting There: Take US550 west from
Bernalillo to San Ysidro, then north on NM4 to NM485 or continue on to Jemez Springs. Start in Jemez Springs or
one of the picnic areas with bathrooms south of Jemez Springs.

Distance:

43 mile mountain bike loop. Intermediate physically due to the length and the about 2500' elevation gain, easy
technically.

Bring food and water. There is a small store at the intersection at La Cueva and a grocery store and several
cafes in Jemez Springs.

There is a gas station and convenience store at Walatowa on the Jemez
Pueblo.

There is a USFS Ranger station on the north end of Jemez Springs for information.

A must-see is the amazing East Fork of the Jemez River where it crosses NM4 at about 5.5 miles east of La Cueva.
This is a twisty water-course with waterfalls that flows through rock narrows through ponderosa forest. Experience
it when the weather is hot so you can splash through the water (you have to wade in places). This isn't a bike
ride but is a great afternoon fun hike/splash. There are parking lots at about 5.5 miles and 10 miles east of La
Cueva at the two ends of the route which is about 4.25 miles in length. East to west is a good direction. At the
west end people jump off nearby cliffs into large pools but beware of underwater obstructions. See the map on the
Velo Valle Grande
ride.

Jemez State Monument - 17th century
Spanish mission ruins and the 500 year old village of Giusewa. At the north end of Jemez Springs. (Museum of New
Mexico)

Start. Ride south on paved NM4 to the junction with NM485 following the Jemez
River.

8

NM4 & NM485

Turn right (west) and cross the Jemez River and climb riding through the
Guadalupe Canyon. Pass through the small town of Gilman about 3-3/4 miles from the turnoff.. Climb up following
the cascades to the Gilman Tunnels.

14

Gilman Tunnels

There are nice overlooks of the cascades. Take time to look at the rock in
the surrounding area. It is some of the oldest in New Mexico. The pavement ends just past the tunnels.
Continue north on the dirt Forest Road 376. Go past the turnoff to Peggy Mesa about .75 miles past the tunnels.
Continue on FR376 to NM126. FR376 climbs 2,400'.

Option: Follow
the Fenton Lake Rd to NM126. It is about 3-1/4 miles to NM126 from the junction of FR376 / Fenton Lake Rd. so there
is more distance on the paved NM126.

30

NM126

Turn right (east) on paved NM126 to La Cueva.

34

La Cueva

Turn right (south) on paved NM4 and race downhill past Battleship Rock and
the Soda Dam to Jemez Springs.

This option rides west on US550 toward San Ysidro with the Jemez Mountains in the background. That's White Mesa
straight ahead with the white gypsum mines on top. During the week there are trucks hauling gypsum to the sheet
rock plant in Bernalillo. After crossing the Rio Salado, enter San Ysidro where there is a convenience store. Turning
right on NM4 travel through San Ysidro and begin the gradual climb to Jemez Pueblo. You ride north through the
picturesque Jemez River canyon. There is another stop at the Jemez Pueblo Walotawa Visitor Center and gas station
at Red Rocks. Then you follow the pleasant, cottonwood tree lined Jemez River to the intersection with NM485. Then
left and climb Guadalupe Canyon surrounded by dramatic mesas through the small town of Gilman to the tunnels and
the end of pavement. On the return route you have impressive views of the Sandia Mountains to the east in front
of you along US550.

The ride is gradual, steady climb through the picturesque Jemez mountains, about 1,000' in, mostly downhill
out. There are some rolling hills on US550. It is often windy and hot in the afternoon, get an early start.

Getting There: Take US550 west about
18 miles from Bernalillo to the Big Chief gas station across from the Zia Pueblo.

Distance: ~40 miles.

Roadway:

NM4 is paved with light traffic.

NM485 is paved from the junction at NM4 to the Gilman tunnels in the Guadalupe box with little to no traffic.

Start at the Zia pueblo on US550 west of Bernalillo. Ride west on 550 to
San Ysidro.

5.75

San Ysidro - NM4

Turn right (north) at the junction with NM4 and ride through picturesque
San Ysidro. Ride through the Jemez Pueblo to the convince store at Walatowa. Continue north on NM4 to the junction
with NM485

15.3

NM4 & NM485

Turn left (west) and cross the Jemez River and climb riding through the Guadalupe
Canyon. Pass through the small town of Gilman about 3-3/4 miles from the turnoff. Climb up following the cascades
to the Gilman Tunnels. The pavement ends just past the tunnels about 6 miles from the turnoff.